Danville Police Takes Back Prescription Drugs Saturday

DANVILLE, CA — Those unused prescription drugs piling up in your medicine cabinet are a powerful lure, especially the painkillers that contribute to America’s opioid crisis, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has called a public health emergency that claims about 130 lives a day. Saturday, April 27, is your chance to dispose of them safely in Danville, before they end up in the wrong hands.

We get it. You’ve been meaning to get rid of those unused or expired prescriptions but aren’t sure how to do it. But kudos for not flushing them down the toilet, practices that can harm the environment.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is working with law enforcement agencies across the country in the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The Danville Police Department will collect unused prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station, which is located at 510 La Gonda Way. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office will also be collecting at the sheriff's office, located at 1092 Eagle Nest Pl. in Danville.

“One of the things that makes Danville a safe place is the partnership between police and the community,” said Danville Police Chief Allan Shields. “Events like this one encourage residents to get rid of their unneeded prescriptions, reducing the chance for abuse or theft of drugs.”

If you can’t make it there/to any of those locations, find a drug take back site here.

The service is free and anonymous. All pills will be accepted, but liquids, needles and sharps can’t be taken during this event. The Environmental Protection Agency offers guidance on disposing of sharps and other medical waste.The Food and Drug Administration offers tips on getting rid of liquid medicines that are expired or no longer needed.

Now in its ninth year, the collections have yielded more than 11 million pounds — that’s more than 5,400 tons — of prescription drugs. California collected thousands of pounds of unwanted prescription drugs during the October 2018 take-back day, contributing to the total haul of more than 457 tons nationwide.

DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon said helping people dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescription medications is one of the ways the agency works to break the cycle of addiction and drug overdose deaths.

“Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs, but also for their families and friends,” Dhillon said in a news release.

It’s not just opioids that pose dangers. Expired prescription drugs can be less effective or risky due to changes over time in chemical composition. Some expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Expired antibiotics may not treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance, the DEA said.

Prescription drug abuse often starts with a legal prescription, and the majority of drug abusers say they get their drugs from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet, the DEA said.